Most Will Get Coronavirus Vaccine But Concerns Raised: GA Survey

GEORGIA — With federal approval of two coronavirus vaccines possible yet this week, nearly 80 percent of Georgians who responded to a Patch survey said they plan to get vaccinated. The majority of readers who said they plan to get a coronavirus shot came even as they said they're still unsure if the vaccine can be trusted or will even be effective.

Georgians received much anticipated news Tuesday when Gov. Brian Kemp outlined the timeline for the coronavirus vaccine to arrive in the Peach State. However, for most of the state's population, the chance to get vaccinated against the coronavirus may not become available for months.

The earliest shipment of the vaccine could make its way to Georgia within seven to 10 days, Kemp said Tuesday. That first shipment will go to the most vulnerable population, including the elderly and health-care workers, he said. After that, the vaccination will be given to essential workers and people 65 and older.

As for the rest of the public, Kemp said it will likely take months for enough vaccinations to arrive in Georgia for every resident.

Related: Most Georgians Must Wait Months For Coronavirus Vaccine: Kemp

The Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta reported a total of 456,113 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus at 3 p.m. Wednesday. According to the health department's website, that includes 3,744 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

Georgia has reported 9,073 deaths so far from COVID-19, with 46 more deaths confirmed in the last 24 hours.

All Georgia statistics are available on the state's COVID-19 website.

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Some readers taking part in the Patch survey praised the guidance of Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, both members of the White House coronavirus task force and specialists in infectious diseases. Others expressed concerns about President Donald Trump and his administration's involvement in the creation of the vaccine, as well as his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"I want to believe in the vaccines, but until my own doctor says it's the thing to do or the WHO says it's safe I have my concerns with the health issues that I have that also make me susceptible to COVID, I have concerns about the Trump administration and any vaccine (yes I get a flu shot every year)," one reader said.

"I trust the CDC and FDA to release the COVID vaccine when it's safe and effective," a respondent said. "The fight between Democratic and Republicans should have nothing to do with vaccinations and their efficacy. I trust the health care community to do what is right for the entire country, not just one party or their beliefs."

Another commenter said,"Trump should do more to push both vaccination and wearing mask to better protect the American public. This White House has done a reprehensible job on protecting us and should be held accountable in the court system. Much more evidence of causing injury to the public than they have provided for voter fraud."

One responder praised Trump, saying, "President Trump and his administration have overseen a wildly successful program to bring effective vaccines to Americans in record time."

A total of 1,045 people responded to the online survey. While not a scientific poll, the survey presents a broad idea of public sentiment regarding the vaccine.

Since spring lockdowns spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, Georgians have waited for production of vaccines that would prevent the fatal respiratory disease COVID-19. Now that medical companies are ready to crank up production of vaccines, the politicization of the virus — as well as a strengthening anti-vaccine movement — mean not everyone is clamoring for the vaccine.

A total of 79.4 percent of the Patch readers who took the survey said they plan to get the vaccine. Of those, 54.4 percent said they will get the shots at the earliest opportunity, and 25 percent said they would be vaccinated once they are sure it's safe and effective.

Even so, many readers shared they have concerns regarding the vaccine.

"I’m just concerned if you never had the virus once you take vaccine," one respondent said. "Will you then get sick ? And is it a cure all for this disease? I’m in healthcare industry and I’m skeptical in its delivery and effectiveness. "

"Generally I think we overstep our bounds with science and manmade vaccines often have effects that we won’t see for years," one commenter said.

Another said, "while I applaud the scientific achievement of developing these new vaccines, I'm concerned that they have not been studied long enough to ensure long-term safety, length of protection and recommendations for pregnant women, children and other groups. I am very cautiously optimistic, but ..."

The first COVID-19 virus vaccine from Pfizer was just approved in the United Kingdom and is up for emergency use authorization in the United States this week. Cambridge-based Moderna's vaccine is hoping for the same next week.

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said the state will receive several batches of the vaccine, with the first expected to have several hundred thousand dosages. More shipments will arrive, and people will need multiple doses, which may cause side effects.

There are other promising vaccines being produced, including one being manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, that require only a single dose.

One responder said they, "absolutely will not get the vaccine. It’s another form of population control by the government. Don’t trust this vaccine especially because there is no long term studies."

"I don’t think the drug companies or FDA would give the vaccine if it caused more harm," another said.

While Trump had at one time promised a vaccine before the November election, medical experts have long said it would take a year or more for much of the general population to have access to a vaccine.

One respondent said, "the public should wake up Trump made history and many people were tested around the world to insure positive results and those who confirm tests know that their family may get shots. The use by the Pelosi bunch to try and barter shows they have little respect for the health of the AMERICAN PEOPLE. AMERICA has many of the most brilliant minds in medicine that are hard working to make and keep AMERICA SAFE."

"While Trump's COVID-19 policies are a fiasco, the Trump administration did not control vaccine development or evaluation," another reader said. "Scientists did, in double-blind trials."

Others thought politics played a role in the vaccine development and rollout.

"I think it’s amazing how fast the medical and science communities have come together to create vaccines," one reader said. "I believe the Trump administration’s push and funding are responsible for the quick response!"

Another said, "it is shameful that Pfizer waited until after the election to announce their virus trial results. Pure politics!"

As some readers noted, vaccines used to be given in schools. Most of the readers who took the survey supported required vaccination for the coronavirus before children can attend school, although a sizable group called for some exceptions.

"The government should not tell me what to put in my body or the bodies of my children," one reader said.

Another said, "although personally I would make sure my children get vaccinated for both Flu and COVID-19, I do believe it should be the parent's choice after discussing with their family. As far as adults are concerned, it is my opinion that anyone in a service industry (i.e. food service, hair/nail salon, computer service, etc.) who have direct interaction with a number of people must be vaccinated. The rest of us are adults and have the right to make our own choice. I get the flu shot every year after speaking with my physician - since I am considered high-risk - and will do the same with the coronavirus vaccine as it becomes available.

Other comments included:

• Were it not for the exceptional 'actual medical experts' involved, I don't know whether I would have the confidence to take a vaccine under this administration. I still have concerns as to how much lawmakers will profit in the middle of a pandemic.
• I am unsure about how I feel about this vaccine, but I might be required to get it to continue to work at my job.
• I want to see my parents and at risk people get the vaccine as soon as possible. I am willing to take the vaccine myself once available for my age group, but I will likely not give it to my children during the first year. I don't feel like it has been adequatly tested for children.
• I believe everyone is blowing this whole COVID-19 pandemic out of proportion.
• Rhetorical question: If Covid-19 and the pandemic is "fake news" as Trump, his administration and his supporters claim, then why did they roll-out "Operation Warp Speed"?
• Public health decisions should never be politicized
• I trust vaccines, but only after extended testing. I don’t want to be on the bleeding edge to find out it might have long term effects or unexpected consequences
• I think that by the time the Corona virus vaccine is available to everyone, we should know if it is safe.
• We need to know Exactly what is in this vaccine any additives mercury anything I want to know once in the vaccine detailed
• I am retired, age 72. I want the vaccine, and don’t mind being followed to see how I tolerate it, and/or how effective it has been. I would be a guinea pig. I trust the scientists!